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[Hatchet 2]
Plot:After Marybeth escapes from the clutches of Victor Crowley, she soon learns the truth about his curse, and heads back into the haunted New Orleans swamp to seek revenge for her family and kill Victor Crowley once and for all.
Cast:
Tony Todd,
Kane Hodder,
John Carl Buechler,
R.A. Mihailoff,
Danielle Harris,
Tom Holland,
AJ Bowen,
Nick Principe,
Alexis Peters,
Claire Grant,
Parry Shen,
Kathryn Fiore,
Rileah Vanderbilt,
Ed Ackerman,
Rick McCallum,
David Foy,
Colton Dunn.
My Thoughts:A run-of-the-mill sequel.
Review:"Hatchet" was a terrifically received slasher film back in 2007. Even before it's release, it got rave reviews from festivals all over the place. I personally found the film to be average, but it grew on me over the years. People had been anxiously awaiting the sequel for quite a long time. And after so many times of being unsure whether it would go forward, or go forward without Adam directing, or go forward with Adam directing...the film was finally made, and here we are...October 1st...and "Hatchet 2" has hit cinemas. Finally.
So what did I think of the sequel? Well, I found it to be run-of-the-mill. But in the cast of "Hatchet 2", that's a good thing. Seeing as how old school slasher is part of it's repertoire and charm. The sequel picks right up where part one left off, and let me stress how important this is. A sequel picking up where the first movie left off...exactly. Not a year later, or a year earlier, or some kind of prequel dealie. "Hatchet 2" starts off right where the first film stopped. Marybeth (now being played by Danielle Harris), under attack from Victor Crowley in the capsized boat.
She manages to escape by conventional means, and so "Hatchet 2" begins. What separates part 2 from part 1, is how everything is tied in together. Apparently there were a lot of questions left to be answered in part 1, that all come up in part 2. And all of the characters who survived the first movie, show up in part 2. Even Adam Green in a cameo as Ben's drunken friend who was last seen celebrating Mardi Gras in part 1. We also get to meet Shawn, the swamp tour guide's twin brother, who was briefly mentioned in "Hatchet".
And Tony Todd and John Carl Buechler...are back as Reverend Zombie and Jack Cracker respectively. In fact, Jack is the first person Marybeth runs into after escaping Victor's clutches, and while she gets help and solice for a period of time...things soon go sour between her and Jack. "Hatchet 2" is definitely not shy about blood and gore. Part one wasn't either, but this movie I would say takes it to outrageous new heights. The deaths here are really gory, and really just outside-the-norm. If you like seeing new kills that only a twisted screenwriter-mind could come up with, then you'll love "Hatchet 2".
But the film does have character development. It may not go beyond the films three or four main characters, but when you have veterans like Tony Todd, Danielle Harris, and Tom Holland leading your movie, you can pretty much keep those three at the forefront of things, to mask the lack of depth of the other characters. Besides, the other characters have their time to shine, so they are somewhat developed. And story development is present here as well.
The trick to this movie is seeing Marybeth survive her VC encounter, and then returning to the city. Only to talk Reverend Zombie into assembling a hunting party of sorts, to go into the swamps, and kill Crowley once and for all. That of course would be boring to watch, as part one was all about people getitng killed-bloody in the swamps. But Adam Green spices up the sequel by adding many different character caviats with dark secrets, ulterior motives, vengeance, and various other things thrown in.
Not to spoil it for you guys, but lets just say some of the people who take on this mission to kill Victor in the swamps are not exactly totally upfront with their motives. So this threat of betrayal all over the place, adds a new and interesting wrinkle to the film. And in the midst of all of this, you still have Victor Crowley out there, thirsty for blood. Crowley himself is also a big part of the movie, as we get the full low down on what he is, why he can't die, and how he came to be born.
The story is morbid as hell, but decently done and twisted in typical Adam Green fashion. "Hatchet 2" also gets the formula right with the ending, making it very exciting, bloody, full of surprises, and strong overall. "Hatchet 2" is a run-of-the-mill sequel, no doubt about it. But that sort of thing works for this movie. It still is, and has always been going for "old school slasher" 1st prize. And therefore it's sometimes and often predictable moments, demises, and twists...are more of a treat, rather than a foil to the movie.
Positives:Crazy kills, lots of blood and gore. Harris, Todd, and Holland give good performances. As does Hodder as Victor Crowley/Mr. Crowley. Some nice twists and surprises, decent script, and a terrific ending.
Negatives:Some of the kills in their particular order, were somewhat predictable. And some of the characters outside of Todd as the Rev, Danielle as Marybeth, and Tom as her uncle Bob...weren't too bright.
Overall:Three out of four stars.
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